Nigel Adkins is the front-runner to become Hull City ’s new head coach as vice chairman Ehab Allam aims to appoint Leonid Slutsky’s successor within the next 48 hours.

City are keen to act quickly after ending Slutsky’s six-month reign on Sunday night and remain determined to see a new boss in place ahead of hosting Brentford on Saturday.

The Mail understands Adkins has held talks with the Tigers as he seeks a return to management but other candidates have been included on an initial shortlist drawn up by Allam.

Adkins, who was considered as a potential successor to Marco Silva in the summer, was nevertheless the clear bookmakers’ favourite as of last night, with Gary Megson, Paul Lambert and Simon Grayson also featuring prominently.

City’s preference is for a manager with experience of the Championship as they face up to the prospect of a relegation fight and the intent to appoint quickly would also suggest the leading target is currently out of work. Adkins ticks both boxes and has been one name under consideration since the pressure first began to mount on Slutsky last month.

The Tigers made the decision to begin searching for a new boss on Sunday after a run of seven games without a win saw Slutsky axed 24 hours after drawing 2-2 at Sheffield Wednesday.

Just two wins from the last 15 games currently sees City in 20th position and in danger of suffering back-to-back relegations.

City’s first team squad returned to the club’s training ground yesterday morning and were met by Slutsky and Oleg Yarovinsky, who also lost his job as head of club strategy on Sunday night.

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Leonid Slutsky departs Hull City

The pair collected belongings and said their farewells before handing over to first team coach Tony Pennock to lead training ahead of Saturday’s clash with Brentford.

Pennock was due to take another session this morning ahead of a likely day off tomorrow but City’s hope is to see a new boss in place by Thursday as preparations for the weekend are stepped up.

“Unfortunately, it’s part and parcel of football,” Pennock told City’s website. “It’s not the first time we’ve seen it, it won’t be the last time either.

“It always happens at every club. There are players who find themselves in favour and there are players that aren’t quite in the manager’s thoughts. But with someone new coming in, everybody will start with a clean slate when the appointment is made.

“Whoever comes in will no doubt have his own ideas on the team and then we’ll go from there when he does arrive.”